Laurella let herself into her apartment and closed the door. After making sure the deadbolt and chain were securely fastened, she dragged a chair over and stuck it in front of the door—a habit she’d abandoned since coming to New York, but now that he was back, the superstition was back, too. At least with the chair there, if anyone broke in, the clatter would alert her, giving her vital seconds that could make all the difference to her safety.

Her legs were still trembling as she made her way over to the kitchen. She opened the cabinet where she kept a small amount of alcohol. Spotting a bottle of whiskey that Calum had brought over a couple of weeks earlier because he often liked a tipple before bedtime, she grabbed it and poured three fingers into a glass.

Her heart ached when her thoughts turned to Calum. Nothing would ever be the same now. While her secret had always existed, it had been buried deep enough for her to pretend it had never happened. But that terrible period from her past had burst into her present, bringing chaos and turmoil and misery along with it.

She collapsed onto the couch and sipped at her drink. What should she do? The same question was on a loop inside her mind, but each time it came around, she found no answers. One thing was certain, though—Calum wouldn’t let this lie. He might not have stopped her leaving the boardroom, but his intention had been there in the flashing of his eyes and the firm set of his jaw. He’d want to know everything. She couldn’t lie, yet she couldn’t tell him the truth either.

Tears threatened to fall once more. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying desperately to calm the storm brewing inside. Her earlier questions came back to haunt her. Why now? Vorino must have known she was working at Necron. Was that why he’d turned up at Sorensen’s? She should have asked how long he’d been working for Brad, but she’d been so shell-shocked at his arrival that she’d barely been able to summon the ability to breathe, let alone address her tormentor.

Her cell rang, but she didn’t answer. It was probably Calum, and she wasn’t ready to answer his questions. The ring tone stopped, only to start up again. And then it happened a third time.

Laurella pushed herself to her feet. Her legs felt stiff, and her back ached, not to mention the oncoming migraine stabbing behind her eyes, all brought on by stress, no doubt. She snatched up her cell, readying herself for Calum’s onslaught.

Except it wasn’t Calum calling. It was Caterina.

“Ella,” her sister said. “You have to come. Papa’s had a heart attack.”

Laurella ran into the departures hall at JFK. She headed straight for the Air France desk to pick up her ticket. She’d had to pay a small fortune for a business-class fare, but none of the other airlines had seats until the following day.

There was a short line in front of her. She checked her watch. The flight left in an hour. She’d be cutting it close, considering the heavy security she’d need to navigate.

“Excuse me,” she said to the lady at the front of the line. “My flight leaves in an hour. I only need to pick up my ticket. I wonder if I might go first.”

“Shouldn’t have left it so late,” came the reply as the woman turned her back and began talking to the ticketing agent once more.

Tears welled up behind her eyes, and a sob caught in her throat. “My father had a heart attack.” She pushed her ID and reference number across the desk. “Please. Get me my ticket.”

The woman had the grace to blush. “Sorry. Of course you can cut in.”

Clutching her ticket tightly between her fingers, she ran toward security. By the time she reached her boarding gate, the area was empty. She thrust her ticket and passport at the gate agent, who tutted but at least let her board the flight.

She collapsed into her seat, waving away the offer of a glass of champagne before takeoff. And then it occurred to her that she hadn’t told Calum or Zane where she was going. Shit. She’d been so panicked after Caterina’s call that she’d thrown some things into a bag and jumped straight into a cab.

Taking the coward’s way out, she switched off her cell and dropped it into her purse. As soon as she landed, she’d text Zane and let him break the news to Calum, because she simply couldn’t bear to. At least the distance would give her some time to work out how on earth she should deal with Alberto Vorino.